Cole Burton completed six passes, four for touchdowns, and Josh Ringer rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns to lead Class 4A, No. 1 East Central to a 62-7 victory Friday over Shelbyville in the Sectional 23 opener for both programs.
East Central improved to 10-0 and won its 16th-straight game. The Class 4A defending state champions will travel to Martinsville (7-3), a 28-14 winner at Silver Creek Friday in its sectional opener, this Friday
In the other half of the Sectional 23 bracket, Greenwood defeated Connersville, 49-21, and Jennings County topped Edgewood, 46-21. Greenwood (5-5) will host Jennings County (5-5) this Friday in the other sectional semifinal contest.
In St. Leon Friday, the host Trojans scored four first-quarter touchdowns to quickly build a 27-0 lead.
Just before the end of the first quarter, Shelbyville quarterback Eli Chappelow connected with Grantland Fitzgerald (photo) for a 47-yard catch and run down to the East Central goal line. The Golden Bears opened the second quarter with an Axel Conover touchdown run that cut the lead to 27-7.
East Central responded with 28 more points to build a 55-7 lead at halftime.
With the four touchdowns passes, Burton became East Central’s career leader in touchdown throws with 59, breaking the previous record of 56 set in 2003.
Ryan Brotherton had two of those scoring receptions to also break the program record with 29 career touchdowns. The previous record was set in 2001.
Shelbyville finished the 2023 record with a 3-7 mark in head coach Scott Fitzgerald’s first season. The Golden Bears will use the offseason to reset following the graduation of a large and productive senior class.
Class 2A, Sectional 39
Triton Central 41, Clarksville 6
At Clarksville, Class 2A, No. 2 Triton Central built a 35-6 lead by halftime and coasted to a sectional-opening victory.
With the win, Triton Central, now 9-1, will host 2A No. 3 Brownstown Central (9-1), a 56-27 winner Friday over 2A No. 10 Indianapolis Scecina, this Friday for a sectional semifinal contest.
In the other half of the bracket, Switzerland County defeated Brown County, 28-21, and Eastern (Pekin) eliminated Christel House Manual, 49-28. Switzerland County (6-4) will travel to Eastern (Pekin) (4-6) this Friday for a semifinal contest.
Triton Central quarterback Jace Stuckey completed 7 of 9 passes at Clarksville for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Stuckey and Ray Crawford combined to rush for 133 yards on eight carries.
Steve Bush photos
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